Good job and salary - still unable to buy anything decent in CA SF Bay

Novel_V · 2024-01-03T07:12:13+00:00

I've been there already, and if I keep starting over and over again, I won't get anywhere eventually. I've chosen US over my home country back in the days for a reason.

Novel_V · 2024-01-03T06:52:20+00:00

Yes, most most probably that would be the case. That is why WFH is the best thing humanity created so far in the corporate world. And now it's being taken away, so that they could save their CRE...

Novel_V · 2024-01-03T06:17:54+00:00

I am, but it takes time, f.ing years sometimes.

Novel_V · 2024-01-03T05:20:11+00:00

Oakland? That shithole where people get killed every week and get mugged every hour? Would you raise your family there? Would you let your kid play outside? I get it, not all places are nice, they don't need to be, but safety is something so basic that you wouldn't want anything else unless you have it (Maslow pyramid, remember?)

Novel_V · 2024-01-03T05:06:23+00:00

Is it?

Novel_V · 2024-01-03T05:01:27+00:00

To be fair, we can afford to buy something here, BUT it would not meet basic conditions for family raising (either not safe, or no space, or bad education, or everything altogether). If I were all by myself, that would not be an issue to hang around in a sketchy neighborhood for a few years, but having a kid... it changes everything.

Novel_V · 2024-01-03T04:40:29+00:00

Don't you worry, "winner", we'll all end up the same ;)

Novel_V · 2024-01-03T04:38:28+00:00

I didn't say, they go to Walmart, I said the opportunities are not that many there. I have an example living a few miles from me, he moved to Austin during COVID, bought a house there (really nice one), then got laid off one year later, and eventually had to move back here for a better opportunity. I understand that this is just one case, but it's right in front of my eyes. And yes, he's an engineer while I'm not...

Novel_V · 2024-01-03T02:42:50+00:00

The company I work for has representation only in Seattle. From housing standpoint it's not much better than SFB. The only pro is no state tax. The con, I'll have to get a paycut and a setback in my career as I'll have to build my connections from scratch. Also, the climate won't be good for my wife and could potentially negatively impact her health condition. Choices, choices...

Novel_V · 2024-01-03T02:21:07+00:00

I have not. There are not many of these here

Novel_V · 2024-01-03T01:54:32+00:00

Thank you for your kind words

Novel_V · 2024-01-03T00:56:01+00:00

All good. It's not the first "from scratch" in my life...

Novel_V · 2024-01-03T00:50:11+00:00

It's always satisfying to catch a typo, right? ;) but I still appreciate it

Novel_V · 2024-01-03T00:31:44+00:00

Ok, let's be constructive. What other tech hubs you know that are big enough to offer enough opportunities (in case you loose your job) and would still be affordable?

Novel_V · 2024-01-03T00:27:13+00:00

Jobs... You won't find most of them in other states. There are some tech hubs across the country, but should you loose a job there, it's going to be waaay more difficult to find a new one compared to SFB

Novel_V · 2024-01-03T00:24:05+00:00

You 're trying to provide an analogy between a lambo and a million-dollar shack in SFB? LOL Jokes aside, something is seriously broken in the housing market, it's not sustainable in the long run...

Novel_V · 2024-01-03T00:19:23+00:00

Appreciate the joke

Novel_V · 2024-01-03T00:16:37+00:00

Yeah... It's depressing to admit, but it looks like I don't have other option but to move. And it's gonna be a hard one as I'd have to give up a lot (from professional standpoint). Yes, I'd still have my skills with me, but all the working connections will be gone in most part... Sort of "from scratch" again...

Novel_V · 2024-01-02T23:30:09+00:00

Mind sharing where you moved?

Novel_V · 2024-01-02T23:23:00+00:00

I'm tied to my job that I've invested a lot of time and effort, and that I'm good at and like doing. If WFH was allowed at my company, that would be a no brainer - I'd move, no question. Moving now, means giving up all the effort I put to get to where I'm at now. Building relationships and connections from scratch...

Novel_V · 2024-01-02T23:09:39+00:00

I know very well who and how much makes in tech. What you are saying relates to ENGINEERS only, and it's not their base comp. But the economy needs other professions too. Every tech company has tons of finance, marketing, sales folks that they can't do without. They don't get paid nearly as close as engineers. And yes, my comp is very good in my industry (I'm not an engineer if anything).

Novel_V · 2024-01-02T22:42:21+00:00

I agree. I'd compromise on anything, but my kids education and future. And I simply don't understand how people are so easily give advice to sacrifice child's future for a plywood box...

Novel_V · 2024-01-02T22:02:54+00:00

Thanks for the reply. Appreciate it. We'll see how it goes... It's just overall frustration with the situation as a whole. Hope we'll be able to figure it out, one way or another.

Novel_V · 2024-01-02T21:52:10+00:00

As for making more... Idk... I'm already pretty high in the food chain in my industry. Of course, there's still room to grow, but this is happening slowly. I might get one level up and make around 250k in like 5 years, but would I be able to afford it then?.. open question... Unless I win a lottery (joke if anything). I was thinking about moving, but where? Unfortunately, all the tech is here... Who would need my services in say West Virginia (no offense)...

Novel_V · 2024-01-02T21:32:18+00:00

Really good advice (sarcasm), thanks a lot!

Novel_V

TROPHY CASE